Houston Texans news, rumors and injuries

Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins caught 76 passes for 1,210 yards last year, and among players drafted in the past two seasons, his production was better than everyone except New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. "We just want to see him continue and progress," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "We think he can be one of the best, we think he is one of the best. We have a lot of confidence in him and we're looking forward to seeing him progress when the offseason program starts."

Fantasy Tip: With Andre Johnson no longer in the picture, Hopkins is set to open the year as the focal points of Houston's passing attack. He has a good chance to improve on his numbers from last season and should be considered a low-end WR2 with upside in fantasy leagues.

Updating a previous report, Houston Texans LB Akeem Dent received a two-year, $4.5 million deal. He received a $750,000 signing bonus and has salaries of $1.25 million (guaranteed) and $2 million in 2016. He has $15,625 roster bonuses per game both seasons.

Houston Texans LB Jadeveon Clowney (knee) continues to recover from microfracture surgery on his knee. Head coach Bill O'Brien said Wednesday, March 25, that there is no timetable for Clowney's return, but the team hopes to get him on the field "sometime during (training camp)."

Houston Texans OG Xavier Su'a-Filo is a candidate to start on the left side with OL Ben Jones moving to center to replace the departed C Chris Myers. Su'a-Filo has been a regular working out in Houston even though the offseason conditioning program doesn't start until April 20. "He's in there every day working very hard, working in the weight room, because he wants to be good," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "I like his demeanor. I like where he is right now."

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt restructured his contract Tuesday, March 24, to create $8 million in salary cap space for 2015. His $10 million roster bonus was turned into a signing bonus, according to a source.

Free-agent WR Cecil Shorts (Jaguars) agreed to terms with the Houston Texans Monday, March 16. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Fantasy Tip: Shorts is going from one mediocre quarterback to another, no matter who starts for the Texans in 2015. Additionally, Shorts has not yet played a full season in his four-year career. He should be considered no more than a WR3.